BEFORE THESE CROWDED STREETS is a true groove salad, featuring guest appearances by artists as varied as Alanis Morissette, Bela Fleck and Kronos Quartet. Occasional ventures into Middle Eastern melodicism feel as natural a part of the band's sound as do its mellow folk grooves and funky rhythm flights. The lyrics are a glad swirl of pop storytelling and trippy mystery, brought to life by the usual confluence of saxophones, violin and precise guitar work that makes this group tick. Over a fat backbeat, Matthews carries the clever, sultry lyrics of "Rapunzel" with a whimsical vocal blend of growls and falsetto jumps, culminating in a soprano rhapsody by hornman Leroi Moore. The funk-vamp "Stay" makes you want to do just that, featuring a joyous gospel chorus and peppery, staccato horn lines. Excellent, frenetic bowing by Kronos Quartet couples with Matthews' quick picking to drive "The Stone"to a 6/8 fury, only to be resolved with delicate grace. Morisette's lilt and Fleck's colourful banjo wrap this excellent album up tastefully on "Spoon".

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Pantala Nago Pampa
2. Rapunzel
3. Last Stop, The
4. Don't Drink The Water
5. Stay (Wasting Time)
6. Halloween
7. Stone, The
8. Crush
9. Dreaming Tree, The
10. Pig
11. Spoon